Yeye Mofin of Lagos, Leila Fowler passes away
Chief Mrs Leila Euphemia Apinke Fowler, the Yeye Mofin of Lagos and founder of the prestigious Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, has died at the age of 91.
Her passing was confirmed by Bashorun J.K. Randle, who disclosed that she died on Saturday morning.
Born in Lagos on March 23, 1933, Fowler (née Moore) distinguished herself in nursing, law, education, and public service. After early schooling at CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, and Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, she trained as a nurse in London before switching to law at Middle Temple, where she was called to the Bar in 1962. She was admitted to the Nigerian Bar a year later.
She practiced law with top chambers and later through her own firm, focusing on insurance and consultancy. Between 1978 and 1980, she served as a councillor on the Lagos City Council and remained active in the Nigerian Bar Association, the Red Cross, and the Corona Schools Trust Council.
In 1991, she established the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in memory of her late daughter. The school has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading all-girls institutions, recognised for academic excellence and leadership development.
For her contributions, she was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos by Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II.
Remembered as a “silent achiever,” Chief Fowler leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, education, and leadership.
